Australian team could be called on to fight Ebola pending evacuation, quarantine measures

A medical team first established after the evacuations of Australians injured in the Bali bombings could be called on to help fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The Australian Medical Assistance Team known as Ausmat was also in action in the Philippines last year after the typhoon.

The federal government, which has been criticised for not offering assistance earlier, now seems to be edging towards sending help to West Africa, but health minister Peter Dutton insists it won’t be until evacuation and quarantine measures are in place.

The government also wants the workers to be quarantined for 21 days overseas before returning to Australia.

In Brisbane, an 18-year-old who returned from West Africa with a fever has tested negative for Ebola.

“She was, of course, very relieved to be given the information. She understands that a second test needs to be done,” Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young said.

In contrast, American nurse Kaci Hickox remains in mandatory quarantine after returning from Sierra Leone despite tests showing she’s free of the disease.